To Get Monty To Take A Step Back

I spent this morning at the yard as I had a lesson on China with Mel. I really enjoyed it and China was a little star. There was no sign of the recent tension from him and he was forward and relaxed, even with lorries, buses and tractors passing the other side of the wall.

When I had finished I watched A having a lesson on her big lad Monty. Here, Mel was teaching Monty rein-back (ie to walk backwards). She did this using the target on a stick that he already knows when asked will yield a treat (clicker and food) if he touches it with his nose. To get Monty to take a step back she would put the target slightly behind his nose and he would get a reward for even a shift in weight back to put his nose on the target. By the end of the session he was walking back in a straight line and A was starting to add the ridden cue. It was so interesting to watch and learn.

In the afternoon, I met my friend K for a dog walk along the canal. It was lovely and quite pleasantly warm. I am hoping that a long walk has helped to ease my aching legs that are feeling the effects of riding again after a significant break.